05-28-2013 Council Work Session Packet

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CD Date: 22 May 2013 To: Mayor McMillan Council Members Jessica Loftus, City Administrator Vt >From: Melanie Curtis, Planning&Zoning Coordinator tv Subject: Zoning Inquiries The Council may be aware that Dr. Michael Ebertz contacted planning staff recently inquiring about the vacant commercial property at 2745 Kelley Pkwy—the lot east of the medical building. He may have contacted some or all of the members of the City Council. He wanted to gain an understanding of the level of support he might receive regarding an application to amend the code to allow a school/daycare use in the B-6 Highway Commercial District where that use is not allowed. We receive inquiries about how properties can be used quite frequently. When the proposed use isn't allowed within that district the applicant often seeks guidance from staff on how they might go about changing the zoning/use. Our normal response is to provide the applicant with information about the application process and try to help them understand the City's perspective on the issue. Unless the Council has voiced strong feelings in one way or another on a subject, staff usually advises the applicant to make the application and go through the process. When the applicant learns of the application requirements, a common response is'how can I get this in front of the Council to test the waters without spending money or time?'. We hesitate before suggesting they could contact individual Council members, but of course they have that option whether or not it is brought up by staff, and often it's the applicant who makes the suggestion. We know it is difficult for a Councilmember to respond immediately on any issue without having some of the basic background. Staff acknowledges that it can be uncomfortable to try to provide direction to a resident when put on the spot. We wanted to review this particular topic with the Council and discuss whether Council would like staff to address similar requests differently in the future. Staff welcomes the opportunity to provide information to the Council (via an email, etc) at your request before you respond to any individual in detail. We receive so many of these types of inquiries that it is impossible for us to determine who will contact Council, and we want to avoid flooding you with information on every inquiry.